FY2011 MLS Purchasing Cooperative

***Please pass this information along to the appropriate person or persons if the ordering of supplies or materials is not your responsibility***

TO: Materials Contact Person, Supply Contact Person
FROM: Susan Grabski, Operations Manager
DATE: March 2, 2010
RE: FY 2011 Massachusetts Library System (MLS) Material and Supply Cooperative
(Formally known as the MARLS Coop.)

(Full cover letter)

It is purchasing cooperative time! Below please find links to three forms that need to be completed and returned by March 31, 2010 to join the FY2011 Massachusetts Library System (MLS) Materials and Supply Cooperative.

1. Supply Order Estimate Packet: In fairness to our vendors we need to get realistic bid quantities for each of these items. Please complete the packet by writing in your annual order estimate and return it along with the Participation and Pledge Form by March 31, 2010. This is also your opportunity to add supply items to the FY 2011 Cooperative: In order to add an item, send a photocopy from a vendor catalog showing the item, along with your annual order estimate. We will do our best to include all suggested items in the FY 2011 bid.
2. Participation Form
3. Pledge Form [Note: there are some new categories, as noted on the form]

Please coordinate the submission of these forms among the staff members responsible for material (books, dvd's, cd's, etc.) acquisitions and those responsible for supply (book jackets, tape, labels, etc.) acquisitions. It is understood that the amounts pledged for each year are subject to local and state appropriation and are not binding. Libraries should not commit their entire material and/or supply budget to the cooperative. Some funds should be reserved for spending elsewhere, i.e. "rush" orders to local bookstores or local supply vendors or for sole source purchases.

Favorable terms extended to Cooperative participants by selected vendors for materials and supplies will only be available to those Regional member libraries returning the three completed forms, Supply Order Estimate Packet, Participation Form and Pledge Form, by March 31, 2010.

For additional information, please refer to the Summary of Specifications or go to: http://www.wmrls.org/coop/index.html

RETURN FORMS BY MARCH 31, 2010, by post, fax, or email:
NMRLS, 175 Andover St., Danvers, MA 01923 | FAX: 978-739-4537 | email: lucie@nmrls.org

MARLS Purchasing Cooperative Complete information about the Materials and Supplies Cooperatives may be found on the WMRLS web site at http://www.wmrls.org/coop/index.html. WMRLS will notify participating libraries about any Coop news, clarifications and changed contact information through the statewide “allregions” email distribution list, and also note them in the “Updates” section of the MARLS website. Please use the Feedback Form (http://forms.wmrls.org/coop.html) to keep us posted regarding any complaints, compliments or questions!